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Yes I'm an idiot, but I still need your advice (DMV related)
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Anonymous
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We moved from DC to MD a while ago. I hadn't changed my car registration yet, and I knew my car was coming up for renewal. I asked for some time off a few weeks ago to take care of this and then there was a crisis at work, and I've been chained to my desk. The DC registration expired on Monday, so I figured I'd just leave my car parked for a few days, and asked for Friday off to take care of it, I figured I'd go to DC DMV, get a 5 day "free" registration in the a.m., and use the afternoon to get it registered in MD. I also took it in to get it inspected in MD so that I would be ready to register, and ended up having to buy new tires, but I now have a MD inspection certificate.
Well today I found out that I can't register it in MD until I get a paper from my lien holder, and that takes 7 to 10 days, for them to mail out the paper I need, plus whatever time it takes for it to get to me. Which means that a 5 day temporary registration I think I can renew in DC, but I would need it inspected in DC which means about $150 in registration costs, and inspection costs, plus a day getting inspected (who knows how long the line will be) and would yield a 30 day registration. Why 30 days? Because they mail the registration to your house, and I don't have a DC address for them to mail it to. I know they don't forward them, so all I can get is the 30 day certificate you print out online. Of course that assumes that I can register when my insurance has already been transferred to MD. Or, I can drive around without a registration for two weeks and hope I don't get caught. Does anyone know what happens if you get caught without a registration? Or, I guess I could not drive, and register for Zip car when I really need to go somewhere. Any other suggestions? |
Anonymous
| Anyone? |
Anonymous
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I don't have any suggestions (sorry), but I can tell you that when I forgot to renew my registration on time one year in DC, I got a $100 ticket (car was parked on street). I don't know if there could be a worse penalty, too.
Good luck. |
Anonymous
OP here, my car is rarely parked on teh street, it's either in teh lot at home or the lot at work. It's probably worth the chance of a $100 ticket if I avoid paying $150 in inspection fees. |
Anonymous
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Sorry I can't help. I'm just super mad at VA DMV right now.
My visa expires in 30 days and I lost my license. I went there to get a replacement and they said I'm not eligible for a replacement since I'm supposed to be back in my country in less than 30 days. WTF? What if I extend my visa? What if I change status? How dare they tell me when I'm supposed to return to my home? I'm so pissed right now. My child has several doctors appointments next week and there's no way I can do it all with cab and public transportation! I asked them to write a letter stating I have a valid license but they can't print it so I can carry with me while I drive without the license but they can't even write the damn letter! I'm so done with this immigration thing. I can't wait to be done with this and actually go home! |
Anonymous
| They are rightfully worried about terrorists OP, even if you are not a terrorist. |
Anonymous
Oh please! not giving a person who has a driver's license another copy is hardly a way to keep terrorists from exploding a building. Come on! |
Anonymous
Don't let the door hit you on your way out. |
Anonymous
OP here, I am so sorry, our country is embarrassingly stupid about immigration and visa issues. I hope you get it straightened out soon. In your shoes, I'd probably drive without it and then, if you're pulled over act like you just lost it. "Oh, officer, I thought it was right here, it must be in my other purse!" I'd also drive really carefully. |
Anonymous
This person is not a citizen but someone on a visa. Maybe the visa is expiring for a reason. Maybe one of the 9/11 bombers had an expiring visa and wanted to renew a perfectly valid license. PP, your reasoning is flawed. The system is in place for a reason. Follow the rules. |
Anonymous
Your tags, registration, and driver's license have to match. If you get pulled over the fine for having a DC license with tags, etc., from another state, you will also get a huge fine. I have first hand experience with this. Also, most states allow you 30 days to register your car when you move, with the exception of military. Why don't you just get yourself legal in MD use Zip Car or rent a car until you have straightened out this mess? |
Anonymous
Horrible advice. You know they can ask for other ID and look the info up on those little computers they have in their vehicles. Do you know what the fine is for driving with an expired license that's from a visa. It's just people following rules. Extend your visa, then go renew your license. It's THAT easy. Don't complain about it. There are 100 people like you with the same story and while I understand it's a pain in the butt the people at MVA (not DMV, DMV in VIRGINIA) it's not their job to bend the rules for you. Deal with it or move back to your country. |
Anonymous
Follow the STUPID rules, right? My visa is expiring and I'm applying for an extension. The extension will only be effective the day the old one expires. And I have to stay locked inside the house until then? What do I do with my child's doctors appointments? Will the immigration officer take her? This is a ridiculous rule that makes no sense. Keeping a legal immigrant from having a document replaced should be a crime! The terrorists are careful enough to have their documents straight. Your system is chaotic and your priorities are messed up. You're harming innocent people and letting the true criminals run free. Shame on this flawed useless system! |
Anonymous
my visa is still valid, my drivers license is valid. the problem is that DMV won't print a new one just because my visa is about to expire. my renewal is on the way but won't be effective until the old one expires. i'm dealing with it and my daughter's health is the price i'm paying. don't get me wrong, honey, once this contract is over i'm out of here! and you'll scramble a few more months to find another fool to do my job. have you ever wondered why you have to keep replacing us? yup, nobody can take the humiliation that long. |
Anonymous
Horrible advice. You know they can ask for other ID and look the info up on those little computers they have in their vehicles. Do you know what the fine is for driving with an expired license that's from a visa. It's just people following rules. Extend your visa, then go renew your license. It's THAT easy. Don't complain about it. There are 100 people like you with the same story and while I understand it's a pain in the butt the people at MVA (not DMV, DMV in VIRGINIA) it's not their job to bend the rules for you. Deal with it or move back to your country. OP again, her license isn't expired, it's lost. If the officer looks it up he's not going to be able to tell if it's at home in her other purse or she dropped it in the sandbox at the park. I'm sure she's planning on renewing her visa, or leaving, but both take time. In the meantime she should be able to drive. |